Rittenhouse Lawyers Claim Extradition Would Put Teen In Danger

LAKE COUNTY, IL — In what is typically a straightforward process, the extradition of the Illinois teen accused of fatally shooting two protestors in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August continues to "drag out," prosecutors said Friday. Kyle Rittenhouse appeared for a 9 a.m. hearing broadcast via Zoom before a Lake County judge as his high-profile attorney, John Pierce, said the teen's legal team needed more time to prepare and was seeking the state's arguments in writing so their side had a chance to reply.

He also claimed Rittenhouse's safety is in danger, due partially to a "presidential candidate in arguably one of the most heated elections ever" that has "inflamed the situation"

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"There is no reason to rush," Pierce said during Friday's hearing. "We ask that his due process rights be observed and challenged in a proper way."

The state now has until Oct. 15 to respond. The next hearing is set for Oct. 30 at 9 a.m.

Rittenhouse is charged in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree recklessly endangering safety and possession of a dangerous weapon. Rittenhouse was arrested on Aug. 25 in Antioch and is accused of fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, of Kenosha, and Anthony Huber, 26, of Silver Lake, Wisconsin, and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, of West Allis, Wisconsin.

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Since Rittenhouse, of Antioch, was arrested in Illinois and is being held at a juvenile detention center in the state, he must be extradited from Illinois to Wisconsin to appear in court and be held in jail there on the criminal charges. Rittenhouse is being charged in adult court in Wisconsin.

The legal process of extradition is typically straightforward and quick, but several hearings have already been held on the matter in Illinois. Following last month's hearing — during which Pierce announced in court he planned to challenge the extradition — Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim said the legal maneuvering was very rare. He said he hadn't seen a request like the one made by Pierce in 20 years.

• Rittenhouse Defense To Challenge Extradition To WI

Meanwhile, Pierce said Friday that "video evidence" shows "without a shadow of a doubt this is not a criminal case."

Late on Thursday afternoon, Pierce, a Los Angeles attorney, and Michael E. Baker, a lawyer out of Chicago, filed a petition in Lake County Court that argues sending the teen up to Wisconsin would violate his 14th Amendment right to due process and could lend itself to a "legion of hazards" for Rittenhouse, who would be put behind bars in an adult jail, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The petition references a tweet from a Jailhouse Lawyers Speak — #DefundThePolice account, which reads: "If he goes to a cell and anyone gets a lock on his location -- email it to us."

"To extradite Rittenhouse would be to turn him over to the mob," according to the court filing.

Videos taken at the scene of the shootings, as well as eyewitness accounts, are the basis behind prosecutors move to charge Rittenhouse with murder.

Authorities say the fatal shootings happened just before midnight south of downtown Kenosha during what was the third night of protests in response to the shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake by Kenosha police.

Investigators say Rittenhouse was carrying a Smith and Wesson AR-15-style .223-caliber rifle as he stood in front of the Car Source used car dealership at the northwest corner of 63rd Street and Sheridan Road just south of Kenosha's downtown area.

Rittenhouse's powerhouse legal team has raised more than $2.1 million to fight homicide charges filed against the Illinois teen. The Fight Back Foundation crowdfunding site, set up to bring in funds for Rittenhouse's defense, has a $5 million goal.

Rittenhouse's legal team has also spearheaded a social media campaign that depicts the Antioch teen as an American "patriot" who simply acted in self-defense. Pierce's Twitter page includes tweets from himself and others, including politicians, who back these claims.

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